BAN’s letter to MHA on airport land occupied by ARTC

To,
The Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),
Government of India, North Block, New Delhi.
Subject: Urgent intervention to vacate temporary occupation by Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC) from Dimapur Airport Land.
Dear Sir,
This representation is submitted with a deep sense of urgency and concern regarding the critical and protracted stagnation of Dimapur Airport, one of the oldest airport in Northeast India. The airport’s potential as a vital economic engine for Nagaland is being systematically strangled, primarily due to the long-standing temporary occupation of 148 acres of crucial airport land by Assam Rifle Training Centre (ARTC) and 14 acres by CRP F.
Dimapur Airport has suffered from neglect for decades, with private encroachments and the ARTC’s temporary occupation. While the recent eviction of private encroachers, undertaken with the support of civil society, is a commendable step towards upholding the rule of law, the continued occupation by a government entity establishes a damaging double standard that undermines public trust. Infrastructure development cannot have two sets of rules, one for private citizens and another for government entities. Any entity blocking a project of such critical national and regional importance must be dealt with firmly to uphold principles of equity and national interest. It is understood that the Government of Nagaland has allotted an alternative site at Shokhuvi for the ARTC to relocate, yet delays in this process and overvaluation & manipulation that may have been used to justify prolonged occupation have made the ARTC the primary hindrance to progress. Their presence continues to block critical development, such as runway extensions and terminal upgrades, which are essential for accommodating larger aircraft and increasing passenger capacity. Such occupations disrupt airport master planning, compromise safety buffers and delay compliance with DGCA standards. This has resulted in operational inefficiencies, including limited flight schedules and reduced connectivity, hindering cargo facilities, directly affecting tourism, trade, and emergency response capabilities in Nagaland.
The adverse effects of these issues extend far beyond the airport itself, stifling Nagaland’s overall economic potential. With limited alternatives in Nagaland for transportation such as poor roadways, waterways, and sparse rail links, the airport is a cornerstone for regional connectivity. The current constraints have led to a stagnation in these areas, exacerbating unemployment among Nagaland’s lakh of educated youth. The people of Nagaland, business community, and youths who are being deprived of opportunities, have shown immense patience. However, the continued blockage of their primary economic artery is fostering deep frustration and a sense of injustice.
In light of these concerns, I implore the Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene forthwith by directing the ARTC to vacate the occupied land and complete relocation to the designated Shokhuvi site at Chumoukedima, treating this as a critical infrastructure security issue. Failure to act decisively risks invoking public ire and unrest, as the people of Nagaland cannot afford further delays in their pursuit of development and economic liberation. Nagaland must not be taken for granted, especially when such issues have long-term repercussions by depriving future generations of opportunities.
We trust your office will give this urgent matter the priority it deserves and initiate decisive action to resolve it promptly, thereby preventing any potential escalation. Thank you for your commitment to equitable governance and regional progress.
Yours truly,
For Business Association
of Nagas (BAN)
L Mongkum Jamir, President